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15 pounds (30 dollars). The one thing that's not cheap is alcohol, but it costs no more than you will be used to at home.

Malaysia is a rapidly developing country with cities sprawling outwards and upwards in a frenetic orgy of construction. Malaysians are very proud of their country and how far they have come since their independence 50 years ago. This progress seems to have created a Malay passion that matches their love of food - shopping. Kuala Lumpur in particular has a staggering array of shopping centres that seem to merge and intertwine, becoming bewildering metropolis' in their own right. Watch out for the fake designer goods on the market stalls though, unless of course that's exactly what you're after.

Of course it's not all about the urban areas, the rural villages and indigenous tribes have a wealth of culture, history and traditions too. You can visit tribal longhouses in the jungle that still hold the shrunken heads of unfortunate foes in their stilted homes.

Whether you're seeking the urban high-life, the weight of history, the temples and mosques, the weird and wonderful, the sumptuous food or the tropical slow-life, you'll be up to your shrunken neck in it.

Wildlife
Malaysia is not as renowned for its wildlife as it should be. Many times I have found myself reeling off the vast list of glamorous Malaysian animals to someone and received a stunned response like "wow", or "really, are you sure?" Well yes I am sure and here's the list:

- Tiger
- Elephant
- Rhino
- Orangutan
- Clouded leopard
- Gibbon
- Sun bear
- Proboscis monkey
- Reticulated python
- Saltwater crocodile
- Dugong
- Tapir
- Fruit bats and flying foxes - the world's largest bats
- Pangolin
- Flying squirrels
- Porcupine

OK that will do, I'm sure you've got the message. It's an impressive list though, I'm sure you'll agree. Even the Amazon doesn't have so many large animals prowling the dark shadowy recesses of the undergrowth.

Many of these animals are very hard to find, but just being in the jungle and letting the effervescent sights and sounds wash over you is an exquisite experience.

The coastal wildlife of Malaysia is no less abundant. The dive sites around the east coat of Peninsula Malaysia and northern Borneo are some of the very best in the world, as they are less spoiled due to the relatively low population in these areas.

Towns and cities
The towns and cities are just as enthralling as the natural environment. Kuala Lumpur is the capital and can entertain your every delight, but there are many

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